Since lacrosse started in the Pensacola area three years ago, Gulf Breeze's girls program has been the dominant team in that time, winning back-to-back District 1 titles in the first two seasons.

And it's been junior attacker and reigning PNJ Player of the Year KateReagan Costello — "KR" to those closest to her — who has been the dominant player in the area in that time.

Gulf Breeze has won two straight district championships and gone undefeated against all local competition during that span, and Costello's production correlates with that success as she is the program's leader with 138 career goals.

This season, she's one of three captains for Gulf Breeze — alongside Avery Curington and Cambrie Cook — and has kept tapping into her leadership potential ... and also providing the team with some much-needed comic relief at times.

She's also headed to play Division I lacrosse one day and is already committed to play for Winthrop.

"She is a leader for sure, she runs our offense," said Gulf Breeze sophomore Clarke Haas, who completes a dangerous attack duo with Costello. "After a goal she brings us together and tells us what we did right and what we need to work on. She's just fun at practice. She makes the sport fun and makes winning fun.

"She is my best friend and I laugh my hardest whenever I am around her. She is always there for me on and off the field. Last season really brought us together."

This year's team is younger than units of past years, with four freshmen having key roles, but Gulf Breeze head coach Carlee Costello believes her team can make area history this year and be the first team to win a playoff game.

Gulf Breeze (4-0) is off to an undefeated start and outscored opponents 47-5 during the first three games.

Gulf Breeze hosts Catholic on March 8, but also anxiously awaits an upcoming road game at Gainesville Bucholz — a potential first-round playoff.

Though Gulf Breeze has faced and lost to Oak Hall in each of its first two playoff appearances, Bucholz has been runner up to Oak Hall in District 2 both years and represents the level of postseason competition well.

"This year's team is a bit younger, but they are all here to work," Carlee Costello said. "They are very serious and dedicated to being the best players they can be. We are all about being the most positive force out on the field and inside the school. We want to represent ourselves the best we can.

"This team is very focused and ready for this season. They are ready to get through districts and make a good showing at regionals."

And while Gulf Breeze has great confidence in its attack and midfielders, KateReagan Costello places a good deal of trust and credits the team's defense for being critical to success.

"We have a really talented defense and they are all really quick," KateReagan said. "We owe a lot of our success to them.

"We have a goal at practice to keep the energy up. We are focused on making a run in regionals, but we are focused on what we have to do in practice every day to reach that goal."